Insight magazine is a stylish collection of current building project and product news, containing links to manufacturers’ websites. It also links to the full ‘Insight’ resource on L2 Media’s website, where you have access to all of the news from the manufacturers ‘portfolio pages’ on the Insight web resource. Insight keeps you up to the minute and gives you more choices!
04 - Sto 06 - Profab 08 - Marmox 09 - Magply 12 - Bilco UK 16 - Crittall 18 - TBA Firefly 19 - Mapei 22 - Howe Green 24 - Omnie 25 - Style 26 - Cupa Pizarras 30 - Troldtekt
Some of the colour photography used in Insight is provided and paid for by contributors. The publishers do not accept liability for errors that may appear in the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the consent of the publisher. To our friend Mike. L2 Media Ltd, Parkfield Business Centre, Park Street, Stafford ST17 4AL Tel: 01785 223253 Fax: 0845 862 8639 www.l2media.uk
Sto has supplied the StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation system with StoLotusan render for the new Day Case and Eye Unit building at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.
Specified by Gilling Dod architects of Chorley, who worked closely with the main contractor Tilbury Douglas, the StoTherm Mineral K system combines impressive insulation with excellent fire protection characteristics. With an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire classification in accordance with BS EN 13501-1, the non-combustible mineral fibre insulation is fully bonded to the substrate and therefore no additional firebreaks are required. Ideal for both new-build and refurbishment projects, its efficient single-leaf construction also means that interior space within the building is not reduced.
For this project, the system’s mineral fibre insulation boards were secured to the lightweight steel frame and sheathing board substrate with mechanical fixings, and StoLevell Uni adhesive and levelling mortar. A StoLevell Duo Plus reinforcing coat embedded with Sto-Glass Fibre Mesh was then applied to the face of the insulation boards, with StoLotusan and StoSilco renders used for the final finish on different sections of the building, using light colours from Sto’s architectural colour range.
StoLotusan is the only render available that uses Sto’s patented Lotus-Effect® technology which delivers impressive water and dirt repellence. It forms a unique surface texture, similar to that of the lotus leaf, that causes the rainwater to run off the render quickly and easily, removing any dirt or dust as it goes. Providing outstanding resistance to the growth of algae and fungus, the building will retain its looks for many years to come.
“Using different products which are fully integrated with each other provides obvious benefits in terms of efficiency and practicality,” comments Vinnie Kershaw of Aire Valley Exteriors who installed the insulation system. “The Sto products have been well-proven on many different projects over the years, and they were perfect for this application.”
The new Day Case and Eye Unit is the result of a major £17.5 million investment in developing enhanced ophthalmology and day case services. It now offers an extensive range of diagnostic and treatment facilities for patients with medical eye conditions. www.sto.co.uk
Leading riser door and access panel solution supplier, Profab Access, has proven its first-class credentials once again as part of the recent completion of a major specification at Cardiff’s new 5-star Parkgate hotel. Located next to the Welsh Capital’s famous Principality Stadium, the Parkgate hotel has been designed to provide a luxurious experience for rugby fans, in addition to city dwellers visiting the country all year round.
Widely coined as Cardiff’s most lavish new location, the hotel includes 170 guest bedrooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, a traditional tea lounge and a rooftop spa overlooking the city skyline. As part of the prestigious build, a unique collaboration between the Welsh Rugby Union, property developer, Rightacres, and The Celtic Collection, the hotel required an extensive riser door specification, with safety, high performance and aesthetic appeal key considerations.
In total, 310 Profab Access VEGA 1500 Fire Rated Riser Doors were specified for installation, including communal areas and the hotel’s vast range of luxury guest rooms and suites. The VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors offer the highest standards of fire safety, extensively tested by Efectis in France and Ireland to provide a bi-directionally fire tested product that is available in both single and double door configurations.
This means the riser door sets are fire tested from both sides to 60 minutes, providing the specifiers, contractors and hotel guests residing within the building with confidence the critical fire integrity products offer the highest standard and most up to date evidence for fire safety performance. The range also features a slimline, neat construction, whilst its proven technology ensures permanent, safe access to mechanical and electrical services housed within the riser core.
This provides first class functionality and safety, without compromising the overall interior concept. The steel riser doors also streamlined the installation process, as the quick release pivot hinge and light weight enabled easy handling, allowing Hazelwood Carpentry to complete the job quickly and optimise overall project efficiencies.
In the event of a fire, the VEGA 1500 Series Riser Door sets will maintain the frame and integrity for up to 60 minutes, preventing the spread of fire throughout the property for this period of time. The riser doors are 31dB acoustic rated, smoke sealed and airtight to Part L, whilst also featuring intumescent smoke seals that enable occupants to safely exit the building. By specifying bi-directionally fire tested VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors, the development is actively future proofed as the comprehensive testing certification provides a complete and transparent audit trail of due diligence that evidences the products are not only fit for purpose but meet the duty of care required to ensure legal compliance.
Profab Access’ diverse portfolio of riser doors and access panels are supported by a wide range of BIM Level 2 and CAD files to aid the specification process and streamline the initial design stages. www.profabaccess.com
Read more about Profab Access at Insight Online
Bristol based architects Marshall & Kendon have sought technical advice from manufacturer Marmox, regarding the integration of its Thermoblocks into the exterior insulation ‘wrap’ of a bespoke, near-to- zero timber frame construction.
Dovetail Design & Build is building the highly insulated home on an elevated site in Kingsdown Parade once occupied by a 17th century summer house and where the existence of a historically significant cellar required the raft type foundation to permit future access for archaeologists. The founding partner of Marshall & Kendon, Jeremy Marshall, said: “It is our habit as a practice to always run insulation across the outside of the structure, wrapping them rather than putting it within the timber frame. In this instance, Thermoblock enables us to make the layer of insulation continuous as it passes through the loadbearing structure, while the airtightness membrane is continued up the outside of the sheathing boards.'
Marmox stockist, Eco Merchants of Swindon, supplied a total 170 of the 100 mm wide version for the versatile 600 mm long Thermoblocks, The various lines of Thermoblocks then support the stick-built timber frame exterior and internal walls, with the main isocyanate floor insulation panels infilling the rest of the ground floor area. www.marmox.co.uk
Read more about Marmox at Insight Online
A family owned fishing and holiday business in the heart of the Bedfordshire countryside is currently seeing a variety of new leisure and commercial facilities being created, with high performance Magply boards from the range of IPP Ltd. having been chosen for lining a large new caravan maintenance workshop. Henlow Bridge Lakes near Henlow, was established on land surrounding a former mineral workings at the time of the Millennium.. The current work is creating space for more customers to stay, along with staff accommodation and other improvements.
Magply boards carry Euroclass A1 and other internationally recognised certifications, confirming their suitability as a fire mitigating sheathing for timber or steel frame systems, as well as in rainscreen cladding, SIPs and other modular/offsite constructions. The material also offers impact, racking and pull-out strength. Magply has been awarded a BBA Certificate following stringent assessments, including a six-month leaching test, producing a Zero score thanks to the production process which ensures stability and durability as a substrate in render backer and other applications. www.magply.co.uk
Glasgow’s latest redevelopment project, located on Langside Road, is built upon the former site of the city’s Victoria Infirmary and consists of a large housing development that includes 413 flats, offices and retail space. The 3.75 hectare site, which is situated next to Queen’s Park on the south side of the city, forms an important part of the Battlefield area’s character, with the buildings’ exterior reflecting and complementing the surrounding heritage by using the city's traditional blonde coloured sandstone. As part of the construction process, Bilco UK was commissioned to supply six ESW-50REM Smoke Vents, in addition to seven E-50TB Roof Access Hatches, to provide the highest standards of safety and efficiency, whilst being sympathetic to the project’s overall design.
Installed onto the roof areas of four blocks of flats by Scottish contractors, Procladd Small Works Ltd, Bilco UK’s ESW50REM Smoke Vents were specified to provide essential ventilation in the event of a building fire. Featuring a linear actuator operating mechanism that opens the cover to 140 degrees within 60 seconds, the smoke vents ensure compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document B, BS9999 and EN12101-2. The built-in wind deflector also provides protection against smoke being blown back into the vent in the event of a fire., whilst the newly-designed closed-cell EPDM sponge gasket helps meet Building Regulation air leakage targets by providing a better seal of the cover to the curb. With the addition of a fixed vertical ladder, the smoke vents can also be used by maintenance engineers for roof access.
Billy Baillie, Managing Director at Procladd Small Works Ltd, said: “We have a longstanding relationship of over 20 years with Bilco UK, and will continue to do so over the forthcoming years, due to their impressive product quality and outstanding service. Bilco UK’s Roof Access Hatches and Smoke Vents were incredibly easy to install, and knowing they’re engineered to meet the highest industry standards, it provided both ourselves and the client with the confidence that the installation would set the standard for performance and longevity.”
Constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, Bilco UK’s E-50TB Roof Access Hatches were also installed to provide engineers with safe, regular and convenient access to the roof to conduct essential maintenance. Engineered with compression spring operators to provide easy one-hand operation, the roof access hatch meets the requirements of Manual Handling Regulations, whilst the automatic hold-open arm locks the cover in the open position to ensure safe egress.
The overlapping cover design, fully welded corners and insulated cover also ensure weathertightness and energy efficiency to deliver the highest standards of resilience. www.bilcouk.co.uk
Designed by architect WR Crickmay the brick building was completed in 1880. At a staggering 13% the brewery’s Thomas Hardy Ale once featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the strongest commercially brewed beer in the country. The brewery eventually closed in 2003 and the site remained unused until, in 2007, planning permission was granted for a new public square overlooked by the impressive building, restored to its former glory containing 29 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
LMA Architecture of Bournemouth has retained many of the unique features of the original building including riveted steel beams, cast iron columns and exposed brickwork. Crittall Corporate W20 steel windows and doors were a natural choice, glazed in small panes to replicate the original configuration of the tall brewery windows. www.crittall-windows.co.uk
A specialist fire contractor is employing the Zeus Lite 90/30 flexible fire barrier and Collaroll wrap from the range of TBA FIREFLY ™ in undertaking a major fire protection programme in Sittingbourne. A phased scheme set to continue till its entire stock is upgraded. DC Fire Protection Ltd. works right across the country covering multiple sectors of the construction industry, installing active as well as passive fire protection systems. It is currently engaged in lining the roofspaces to dozens of terraced houses on an estate in Sittingbourne, Kent.
The Zeus Lite 90/30 has been developed for use in vertical separation or compartmentation situations, offering 90 minutes integrity and 30 minutes insulation and is straightforward to install for an experienced contractor. It is widely specified to form fire barriers within roof voids and floor voids in many different property types, including multi-storey flats and commercial premises. Also used throughout this project are fire-rated access panels to provide safe and continual secure access as required, installed within a simple frame built into the flexible barrier wall. www.tba-pt.com Read more about TBA at Insight Online
Warwick-based surface design specialist – BaSE (www.baselifestyle.co.uk) - has completed a stunning ‘trowel effect’ floor installation using Mapei’s Ultratop Loft. The installation forms part of a kitchen renovation project within the basement of a period property in Balham, South London. Home of interior designer Charlie Nunn and husband, Richard, the large Victorian property has an eclectic style owing to the owner’s creative nature, with colours and artwork adorning the walls. As well as providing a city base for Charlie and her family, the home is used as a location for TV shows and photoshoots and has recently featured in Amazon Prime adverts.
BaSE’s use of Ultratop Loft spans the 50m2 extended kitchen, providing a striking contrast to the red gloss kitchen cabinets and satin wall finish. Ultratop Loft was trowel applied under the existing units and around the cabinet legs; it was applied with a Nuvolato (cloudy) texture in a warm grey called Venezia. The micro-cement based finish replaced a seamless resin floor which had faded in sunlight.
Ultratop Loft is part of Mapei’s fast-track range and, in the correct conditions, the surface sets to foot traffic within three hours. The installation was completed with Mapei’s Mapefloor finishing products. For more information please contact: info@mapei.co.uk
As one of nine new stations developed as part of the construction of the Elizabeth line, Bond Street Station will facilitate up to 137,000 passengers per day, with up to 22 trains passing through the station every hour at peak times from November 6 this year and up to 24 trains per hour from May 2023.
Providing interchanges for the Central and Jubilee lines, the newly constructed Bond Street station will significantly improve accessibility for travellers, whilst simultaneously increasing capacity at one of the busiest shopping districts in the UK.
The development of the station included the specification of 200 Howe Green stainless steel floor access covers as part of the structural and architectural design process to provide secure and concealed access to under-floor services. Installed throughout the entire station, which includes two newly constructed ticket halls at street
level and all underground passenger platforms that can be as long as 255 metres, the medium-duty 7500 Series Floor Access Covers were manufactured to meet the project’s extensive requirements.
With over 50 kilometres of communications cabling, 200 CCTV cameras, 66 information displays, 200 radio antennas, 750 loudspeakers and 50 help points, an essential element of the specification process was ensuring the covers were tamper proof, without preventing contractors from gaining quick and easy access to the services below.
Manufactured with unobtrusive barrel cover lifting points that can only be accessed with unique lifting and securing keys, the access covers are protected from unauthorised access, without impacting the overall design scheme, as only the securing bolt and barrel edge are visible.
The method of removing the covers also ensures the products can be handled easily and safely by contractors, eliminating any potential strain or harm, regardless of the covers’ combined weight with the hard flooring finishes. This is due to the lifting blocks being anchored to the inner frame. Throughout maintenance-only areas, the lifting mechanisms of the floor access covers are mechanically assisted with pistons so engineers can securely lift the covers from underneath.
Installed in conjunction with terrazzo flooring across the platforms, and Portuguese granite throughout the ground floor public areas, the 7500 Series Floor Access Covers seamlessly blend with the architectural finishes of the station for a streamlined visual effect. This sleek aesthetic is further enhanced by the tiling modules, which create a unified and cohesive finish, simultaneously eradicating any potential trip hazards, as the access covers are
installed entirely flush with the hard flooring. The minimal profile of the edges also reflects the dimension of the joins between the tiles to create a perfect finish, even when working with the radial sections of stone tiling on curved passages and walkways, which required individual access covers constructed of curvilinear profiles to deliver a high quality, bespoke finish.
Each of the covers withstand up to five tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads. Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22: 1987, the covers’ ability to eliminate the potential transmission of smoke and fire from the underground services in the event of a fire was another key consideration of the specification process. www.howegreen.com
The conversion of three stone-built agricultural buildings near the beautiful Devon town of Totnes is employing a full selection of renewable and low-energy technologies from the range of Exeter based manufacturer, OMNIE, to create a comfortable living environment for the new occupants. The hundred year old buildings at Ritson Farm are being renovated and turned into highly desirable rural retreats.
Each of the luxury homes is to be heated by an LV air source heat pump, which will be connected via multi-branch manifolds to OMNIE’s Staple underfloor heating system across the ground floors with the company’s LowBoard being specified to warm the upper levels. To maximise fuel efficiency and help guarantee a healthy indoor living environment, a constant supply of prewarmed and filtered fresh air will be supplied via one of OMNIE’s Zehnder ComfoAir mechanical ventilation with heat recovery units.
The Totnes conversions vividly demonstrate how high efficiency heat pumps, combined with underfloor heating developed to bring the best performance from them, can heat any home and keep fuel consumption to a minimum. Coupled with the ComfoAir MVHR units, the development also illustrates OMNIE’s capabilities to design and deliver its ‘Whole-House” concept. www.omnie.co.uk
With a focus on the needs of the local community, the newly constructed St Philip’s Church Centre near Birmingham, has been designed to accommodate a wide range of activities, from regular worship to choir practice, toddler groups and Pilates. Adding flexibility to the open-plan, 350 seat Worship Space, partitioning expert Style worked with Kier Construction and architects, Robothams, to install a Dorma Hüppe Variflex solid moveable wall, dividing the area into two separate rooms, as required.
Allowing light into both areas, the partition includes two Variflex glass panels as well as vision panels within the double door. With an impressive 52db acoustic rating, the moveable wall allows a noisy event to be hosted alongside say, a prayer group, without causing disturbance. St Philip's Church in Dorridge, Birmingham, reopened following a project to demolish the old buildings and replace them with a single, modern building with large open plan, flexible areas for worship and other community events.
Style is the UK’s multi-award-winning market leading moveable wall specialist, and the exclusive UK partner to Dorma Hüppe, Skyfold and SWG. It offers a complete range of moveable, folding and partitioning walls for all requirements and budgets across multiple market sectors. www.style-partitions.co.uk
As showcased on a recent episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs, CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 12 natural slate has been specified for a spectacular new build project in Chichester. Selected to enhance the property’s modern aesthetic, the slate roof also complements the rural surroundings, which include a wildlife pond along with a variety of plant life.
Property owners Daniel and Nina Rowland both work professionally within the construction sector; Daniel heads up architectural firm Studio Fuse, while Nina is an interior designer. Combining their skills, they decided the time was right to embark on a new adventure; leaving London to design and build their own home on the South Coast of England. They purchased a period property that happened to back onto a stagnant pond, which consisted of local drainage overflow.
Daniel and Nina put together a design that would see the old house demolished and a new building constructed. Likewise, the pond was to be transformed into a crystal-clear natural swimming pond – a highly ambitious undertaking. Ideally, this would attract local wildlife, such as frogs, newts and sparrows, resulting in a beautiful waterside home.
In terms of the design of the new-build property, the couple wanted the house to be eco-friendly and have a contemporary, spacious and natural aesthetic. It was to be built from structural insulated panels (SIPs) clad in Siberian larch and flint, with large glass windows. (cont...)
Timber decking would then connect the house to the natural swimming pond. When it came to the roofing, Daniel commented: “We considered using a standard seam metal roof but we went with slate to compliment the natural material palette we have used throughout the rest of the house.”
Darren Stigant, Director at NJS Roofing, the roofing contractor on the project made the product recommendation: “Although this project looks quite simplistic, the different roof pitches added a certain amount of difficulty to aligning the mitred hips. Having sourced products from CUPA PIZARRAS many times in the past, I suggested the company’s CUPA 12 slate which was available in 400 x 250mm palettes. Utilising this smaller size, as opposed to the usual 500mm x 250mm, helped us to achieve the finish we required on the mitred hips."
CUPA 12 is a non-carbonated slate that is formed by tectonic compression, giving the product a smooth, matt surface. The dark grey colour provided an effective contrast with the timber and glass. The CUPA 12 natural slate is also high performing with outstanding weather resistance, as it has been tested to achieve a water absorption rate of 0.11% and a rating of T1 in thermal cycle tests.
Thus, making it a long-lasting product with a functional life expectancy of 100 years. What’s more, not only is CUPA PIZARRAS officially a carbon neutral company, but CUPA 12 has also been assessed and certified by BRE Global, solidifying itself as a sustainable choice and bolstering the environmental credentials of Daniel and Nina’s new home.
Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs commented: “This design joins together nature and architecture – in every sense it’s beautiful.” www.cupapizarras.com/uk
Troldtekt’s award-winning ‘design solutions’ range has been extended with the addition of the new v-line variant. v-line 1way and v-line 2way both comprise panels with either 6 or 10 longitudinal grooves milled into the surface of standard 25mm Troldtekt panels.
The v-line 2 has the addition of transverse grooves every 1200mm where the ends of the panels meet giving an added character to the pattern on the ceiling and the ability to create more intricate designs. Cut into a V shape, the grooves in the panels have a more discreet look than that of the traditional
deeper-cut offerings in the ‘design solutions’ range which are more pronounced and distinctive and use a thicker 35mm panel.
The ability to have milled lines in a classic, thinner Troldtekt panel means they are easy to handle and competitively priced but still have the same aesthetic and visual appeal. They are a perfect accompaniment for retail, office and residential environments where acoustics need to be controlled.
Certified Cradle-to-Cradle at Gold level, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels offer high sound absorption and tactile surface, coupled with high durability and lowcost lifecycle performance.
Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Panels can be supplied in the FSC ® 100% category (FSC ® C115450) contributing to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED rating.
In addition, because the panels are a natural, breathable material that can absorb and release moisture they are allergy friendly and have been awarded an Allergy Friendly Product Award by Allergy UK. www.troldtekt.co.uk
